STORY: Warmer, drier spring forecast with higher bushfire risks in Australia
DATELINE: Sept. 1, 2023
LENGTH: 0:01:28
LOCATION: SYDNEY, Australia
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Sydney
2. SOUNDBITE (English): ANGUS HINES, Senior meteorologist at Australian Bureau of Meteorology

STORYLINE:

Most of Australia is likely to brace for a drier and warmer spring, which may raise the risk of bushfire, as the Bureau of Meteorology released a forecast for the upcoming season.
   
The Bureau's long-range forecast for spring 2023, released on Thursday, showed below-average rainfall is likely for most of Australia, along with warmer than usual temperatures.
   
SOUNDBITE (English): ANGUS HINES, Senior meteorologist at Australian Bureau of Meteorology
"Many areas have an increased chance of an unusually dry spring, with the highest chances in the southwest and parts of the east. Spring is forecast to be warmer than usual across the country, both in the day and also overnight for many areas. Australia's fire agencies have identified increased risk of fire this spring for regions in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory. Communities in those regions are urged to prepare and review their bushfire plans. The bureau remains at El Nino alert as it's likely an El Nino will form this year. Climate models also show a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is likely to form during spring. This often results in below average rainfall for much of southern and central Australia. If a positive IOD occurs with El Nino, the drying effect can be stronger and more widespread across Australia."

The forecast came as this year's winter looks to be the country's warmest winter on record. The national mean temperature for winter is currently tracking to be 1.54 degrees centigrade above the 1961-1990 average, which would make it Australia's warmest winter since 1996.
   
Bureau of Meteorology climate services manager Karl Braganza said unusually warm days are likely for almost all areas over spring, especially Western Australia and parts of the southeast.
   
In contrast to last year, when Australia had its second-wettest spring on record, the forecast showed most areas have a high chance of below-average rainfall this spring, and many areas have an increased chance of unusually dry weather.
   
The warmer and drier weather increases the risk of bushfire, as there are always fire risks in Australia during spring.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Sydney, Australia.
(XHTV)